Neuropathy

[kmack57]

Just finished Cyberknife treatment to my spine mets on C5 - L1 yesterday. I was experiencing numbness and tingling in my hands and arms prior to treatment and it's now a little worse post treatment. Doc has offered gabapentin but I am reluctant to get on another drug. Any suggestions that might help lessen discomfort and reduce the nerve irritation? Has gabapentin helped anyone out there?

Thanks

Kevin

[Tall_Allen]

I've taken it for another purpose and really disliked it -I felt spacey (not in a good way). If it's just numbness and tingling, not pain, why do you need anything? Any history of diabetes?

[kmack57 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I do get some burning pain that I'm hoping will diminish after a few days. Just trying to be proactive in case it it gets worse. I am trying to avoid gabapentin due to its side effects. Some others on this site have recommended OTC Acetyl L-Carnitine , I may try that. No diabetes....yet!!

Thanks

[tango65]

Paresthesias and burning could be difficult and make life miserable depending on intensity and extension. Pins and needles from feet to the knees could be very disturbing. The same for intense burning.

Gabapentin does help (it has helped me). The point is to adjust the dose. One can start with 50 to 100 mg three times a day and go from there. The max dose is 3000 mg a day.

If the burning in the feet is very intense they could try control it using local capsaicin. If this were your situation you could consult with a doctor specialized in chronic pain.

[michael00]

My wife is taking gabapentin for nerve pain associated with shingles. Seems to work very well at reducing pain and discomfort.

[Magnus1964]

I have had periferal neuropathy for more than a decade in my hands and feet. The neuropathy in my hands lessened with time. But my feet were killing me. I have been on gabapentin for several years for neuropathy. No side effects. I also take several supplements for neuropathy. Here is the list:

1. Mirapex 1 tablet 0.25mg - prescription

2. Gabapentin 2 capsules (300mg) - prescription

3. Acetyl L-Carnitine 1 capsule 500mg - over the counter

4. Leg Cramps (by Hylands) 2 tablets over the counter

5. Aleve PM 2 220mg - over the counter. Because Aleve can cause liver damage with long term use I have substituted Zyflamend 1 capsule.

I take each of these drugs at least 20 minutes apart in the early evening. This helps me get a good nights sleep. The effects last all day long.

[wagscure259]

I have had neuropathic pain presumably from 3 year use of Lupron plus bicalutamide where 600 mg of gabapentin completely abated the pain but not the numbness and tingling, but that’s okay and no balance issues with those symptoms. It did make me feel fatigued in the morning upon awakening - the only side effect experienced.

[j-o-h-n]

I've used it for years..... it works for me and yes it's more meds to take.... but you gotta do what you gotta do.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 08/16/2020 11:44 AM DST

[CalBear74]

Kevin,

I have used gabapentin for a lumbar spine issue with worn out L4 and L5. Combine with Tylenol for arthritis and you’ve got a good combo treatment. I take 600 mg of gabapentin with two 625 mg Tylenol for arthritis. I do this twice a day. I should sayI did this -past tense - but now I have reduced my dose Since Thursday when my sports orthopedist did a little back procedure, an epidural, I got rid of the discomfort I’ve been experiencing for close to a year. By the way, I did not experience any side effects. Good stuff.

Good luck.

[SeosamhM in reply to CalBear74]

To emphasize a point in CalBear’s response - get an ortho doc on your team now to help navigate this both now and later. I had RT to C2 and T4....C2 ended up collapsing, but I’ve so far been able to avoid fusing my entire neck through developing a monitoring plan with my ortho and using rigorous physical therapy.

[vivamais7]

Magnesium Pidolate is the best thing I have ever used. In USA and Canada you have MAGDOLATE, a Canadian product. Try it for at least one month.

[kmack57 in reply to vivamais7]

Do you have a source for purchase?

[vivamais7 in reply to kmack57]

Contact Seaford Pharmaceuticals the manufacturer of Magdolate in Canada to know how to get this Product in USA. Magdolate is a similar product to Magnesona, I buy in Portugal, because of its Magesium Pidolate, in liquid form. Magnesium deficiency is one of the causes of Neuropathy and after using my Magnesone I have had the pleasure of sleeping quite well...

[kmack57 in reply to vivamais7]

thank you